Refined palm kernel or babassu oil imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, South Africa imported refined palm kernel or babassu oil worth $36.7 million (27.8 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. That is 26% more than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2021, at $46.5 million.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $36.7M | 27.8K t |
| 2023 | $29.2M | 28.0K t |
| 2022 | $41.8M | 25.1K t |
| 2021 | $46.5M | 32.8K t |
| 2020 | $25.9M | 32.5K t |
| 2019 | $23.1M | 32.1K t |
| 2018 | $29.0M | 28.3K t |
| 2017 | $36.6M | 28.3K t |
Where South Africa imports refined palm kernel or babassu oil from
One supplier dominates: Indonesia accounted for 70% of the value. Among the main suppliers, Malaysia grew fastest (+202% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Indonesia | $25.7M | 70% |
| Malaysia | $10.6M | 29% |
| Mozambique | $286K | 0.8% |
| China | $68K | 0.2% |
| India | $1K | 0% |
| United Kingdom | $0K | 0% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.32 per kg, close to the world average of $1.30.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Refined palm kernel or babassu oil exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $1.0 million of refined palm kernel or babassu oil in 2024 (567 tonnes). One buyer market dominates: Zimbabwe accounted for 96% of the value.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zimbabwe | $991K | 96% |
| Botswana | $21K | 2.1% |
| Namibia | $15K | 1.4% |
| Malawi | $7K | 0.6% |
| Eswatini | $3K | 0.3% |
| Mozambique | $0K | 0% |
| Lesotho | $0K | 0% |
| Germany | $0K | 0% |
| Zambia | $0K | 0% |
| Republic of the Congo | $0K | 0% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa refined palm kernel or babassu oil imports (HS 1513.29): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
Tell us what you trade and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
Mirror data: built from the shipment records of the countries that trade with it.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 1513.29: Vegetable oils: palm kernel or babassu oil and their fractions, other than crude, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified.
Common questions
What is the value of refined palm kernel or babassu oil imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported refined palm kernel or babassu oil worth $36.7 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 27.8 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 15th of 160 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 26% on 2023.
Which countries supply refined palm kernel or babassu oil to South Africa?
Indonesia was the largest supplier with 70% of the value ($25.7 million), followed by Malaysia (29%) and Mozambique (1%). The top three together account for 100%, out of 6 supplier countries in total. Malaysia grew fastest among the top ten, up 202% on the year.
What is the average import price of refined palm kernel or babassu oil per kg?
The average declared import value was about $1.32 per kg in 2024, close to the world average of $1.30 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of refined palm kernel or babassu oil to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $36.6 million in 2017 to $36.7 million in 2024, an increase of 0%. The peak was 2021 at $46.5 million. Over 8 years the average was $33.6 million a year.
Does South Africa also export refined palm kernel or babassu oil?
Yes. South Africa exported $1.0 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $35.6 million a year.
What is the HS code for refined palm kernel or babassu oil?
The HS code for refined palm kernel or babassu oil is subheading 1513.29. It sits in HS chapter 15 (animal, vegetable or microbial fats and oils and their cleavage products; prepared edible fats; animal or vegetable waxes). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 1513 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
The totals here are public statistics; EximDataX adds the company names by reading partner countries' customs records for South Africa. Tell us your product to see it live.
Same product, other countries
World refined palm kernel or babassu oil trade: top importers and exporters
More trade data for South Africa
See what your buyers are buying.Then decide.
Everything we show you comes from official customs filings — records, not claims. 30 minutes. Your shipment. Your HS code. Real platform. If you don’t see something new about your market by the end of the call, we walk away. No follow-ups.